GERRY MODDEJONGE, QMI Agency

A dominating defence in the Labour Day Classic dwindled in a 30-20 loss during last Friday’s rematch, which saw the Calgary Stampeders avoid getting swept in the season series.

It was a 38-point swing from the 35-7 score a week earlier, where Edmonton’s defence held Calgary to just 215 yards of total offence and chased Henry Burris from the game.

This time, Burris put up more than 300 yards in the air, while Edmonton surrendered just under 500 yards to their opponents.

“It was a physical game,” said Greg Peach, who had just a pair of tackles after a Labour Day performance with four tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. “In that second game of the Labour Day series, it really is a test of who can recover fastest.

“I still think that we gave everything we had.”

Just like they did the week before. Except this time, there wasn’t much left in the tank.

Not to say their last one wasn’t close.

“There were a couple plays that went their way that really changed the game,” said Peach. “And that was the ball game, really.”

One of those was a 62-yard Hail Mary that somehow ended up in the hands of receiver Nik Lewis after being batted in the air by Eskimos defensive back Chris Thompson, to put Calgary ahead 17-6 at the half.

“Just a couple of plays that went their way and they capitalized on them,” Peach said. “You saw it was a close game. Maybe a couple more plays go our way and we win it. You never know.”

What they ended up winning was the season series, 2-1, over the Stampeders. But it came at a cost of giving up sole possession of first place to their foes.

“They were first when we beat them last time, now they’re first in the West,” Peach said. “I’ve got to give them a lot of credit.”